Thoughts About Homeschooling: 7 Quick Takes

1. Yes, I know that there’s a tab about homeschooling here, but I’ve been really lax in actually getting the job done. About two months ago, my husband and I firmed up our decision to homeschool Rachel. I’m a complete nervous wreck!

2. That’s not ENTIRELY the truth. Somedays, I’m excited — like the days she comes to me and says, “Mommy, can I do my reading lessons?” The days when I have to beg, bargain and plead with her to do her work? I want to crawl under the desk and cry.

3. THERE ARE SO MANY DECISIONS! I’ve often told my friends that it’s not the lack of information that worries me, but rather the sheer enormity of it all. I want to teach her EVERYTHING – about our Faith, science, favorite books, nature, animals, geography, writing, music …. how in the world will we have time for it all?

4. In choosing to be the primary educator of my child, I am following my Church’s teaching. On one level, it sounds simple. Looking deeper, it’s my greatest challenge in life.

5. I ask my husband once a week at least, if he’s sure we shouldn’t just send her to the local public school. He says, “Yes, I’m sure,and no, we’re not.” Sometimes, I just need to hear it from him.

Comments

I’m not a homeschooling mom, but before marrying my husband I ran a riding lesson program. I had a group of homeschooled kids who took riding lessons as their PE, coming out to the barn for four hours once a week- spending the morning with me. They helped me feed and turn out the horses, took a riding lesson, cleaned equipment and learned to clean stalls. They were a wonderful group and a favorite part of my teaching experience.

I’m a former homeschooling mom and homeschooling-mom-again-wannabe whose kids are currently mostly in Catholic school…my advice is Go For It!! Don’t worry! Every single one of those freak-outs and doubts that you listed will always be there–it’s impossible to every get through all the wonderful stuff to learn, you will always have days of eager learning and days of hiding from the math book, you will get tired and overwhelmed, and it’s all so great and so worth it!! After a year goes by (and then another) you’ll find that you did get through lots of great curriculum, your daughter has a real love of learning, her mom learned a lot too, and you’ll have so many wonderful memories together of a sweet childhood that goes by way too quickly. God bless!! 🙂

I have three pre-schoolers and am schooling the older two (4 and 3). Here’s the thing: as long as you are making progress towards your goals of teaching faith, character and academics, don’t worry to much about the frustrating days. They will happen and they will pass. Keep your eye on what you are trying to accomplish and don’t be afraid to ask for help from other homeschoolers etc.

Some days school goes really well for us and some days they both get kicked out before we “finish” the day’s lessons. At their ages though they need to learn how to listen and not argue before they can learn academics.

Pray, think and then do your best. That is all that is required of any of us…K

Welcome aboard!!! You’re going to be awesome at this adventure! We are finishing up our first year. I’ve had my share of doubts and hurdles, but seeing the progress of our entire family over the course of the year is very encouraging! I can’t wait to hear more about this!!!

So glad to see you doing 7 quick takes! We’re homeschooling for the first time this year–and we’re using the Memoria Press curriculum. (My son started at HLS so it was an easy choice. There are way too many curriculum options so we decided to keep it simple and stick with what we knew!)

I’m homeschooling K and 2 this year with the MP curriculum. Keep us posted on the Kennedy homeschooling adventures!